Detachment Charlie
Member
AIM Ishapore/Lee Enfield, .308
About two weeks ago, I couldn’t resist any longer. I pulled-up the AIM website yanked out the old VISA card and plunked down $169 + $10 for hand-select. As usual, AIM came through without a hitch and the Ishapore Enfield arrived on schedule.
Opening the box I was confronted by what I expected; something that had been “arsenaled” by drunk monkeys with barrels of cosmoline and really chap, thck black paint. Fugly, yes it was. But the bore was shiny and bright (after some Simple Green brake cleaner and CLP).
Three days of stripping cosmo and paint with Simple Green (it took most of the pain off, as well as most f the cosmo, after baking inside a black plastic bag in the 95F Florida sunshine. MEK and a brass brush took care of any remaining paint and crude. An assortment of good screwdrivers is also a good idea.
The stock was great. No cracks or repairs, much to my surprise. Not even the almost mandatory stock heal repair. The wood isn’t exactly “Presentation Grade,” but it’s not bad for an Old War Horse. About three coats of wipe-on finish rubbed-out to a finish that, I think, enhances an old battle rifle.
Mine was built in 1965, according to the markings and is a true Ishapore A2, one of the first 50,000 made from what I read. It has the original 2,000 meter sights from the .303 design. The 2A1 has the correct (800m) sights for the .308. This rifle was not just a re-chmber from the .303 to the .308 (really, it’s a true 7.62 x 51 NATO chamber). This is important because it separates it from it’s SMLE ancestors in that this rifle was redesigned and built with new metallurgy and heat-treating specs from the original Brit designed .303. The 7.62 distinction is important because of chamber pressures.This weapon was designed to the NATO 42,000 c.u.p. standard pressure round. Commercial .308 ammo has a SAAMI spec of up to 62,00 c.u.p. – BIG difference, especially with my handsome face that close the peak pressure area.
Off to the range with a load of Lithuanian surplus 7.62 (also from AIM) for a lttle bench-time. Results: not bad, but not great.
Most of the problems reside with the nut behind the butt-stock. I haven’t regularly shot a serious caliber battle rifle since my abruptly ended love affair with the M14. That was in 1967. Recoil, aside (and with the semi-pistolgrip stock I ain’t bad at all. A pssy cat compared to the Mosin-Nagants I’ve fired!), my eyes sure ain’t what they used to be or will be. I’m having cataract surgery next week, so I really had no business trying to shoot these iron sights at all. But, at 50 yds. All 20 rounds were about 2” right of point of im, but strung vertically about 6”. I’ll blame my ancient eyes and the large coffee I drabk on the way to the range – real smart.
Conclusion: I am very satisfied. I got to play with and semi-restore a great rifle of classic design that shoots a modern cartridge. Clean-up the rest of the piece and get my eyeballs peeled and I’ll be back with more info and better groups.
About two weeks ago, I couldn’t resist any longer. I pulled-up the AIM website yanked out the old VISA card and plunked down $169 + $10 for hand-select. As usual, AIM came through without a hitch and the Ishapore Enfield arrived on schedule.
Opening the box I was confronted by what I expected; something that had been “arsenaled” by drunk monkeys with barrels of cosmoline and really chap, thck black paint. Fugly, yes it was. But the bore was shiny and bright (after some Simple Green brake cleaner and CLP).
Three days of stripping cosmo and paint with Simple Green (it took most of the pain off, as well as most f the cosmo, after baking inside a black plastic bag in the 95F Florida sunshine. MEK and a brass brush took care of any remaining paint and crude. An assortment of good screwdrivers is also a good idea.
The stock was great. No cracks or repairs, much to my surprise. Not even the almost mandatory stock heal repair. The wood isn’t exactly “Presentation Grade,” but it’s not bad for an Old War Horse. About three coats of wipe-on finish rubbed-out to a finish that, I think, enhances an old battle rifle.
Mine was built in 1965, according to the markings and is a true Ishapore A2, one of the first 50,000 made from what I read. It has the original 2,000 meter sights from the .303 design. The 2A1 has the correct (800m) sights for the .308. This rifle was not just a re-chmber from the .303 to the .308 (really, it’s a true 7.62 x 51 NATO chamber). This is important because it separates it from it’s SMLE ancestors in that this rifle was redesigned and built with new metallurgy and heat-treating specs from the original Brit designed .303. The 7.62 distinction is important because of chamber pressures.This weapon was designed to the NATO 42,000 c.u.p. standard pressure round. Commercial .308 ammo has a SAAMI spec of up to 62,00 c.u.p. – BIG difference, especially with my handsome face that close the peak pressure area.
Off to the range with a load of Lithuanian surplus 7.62 (also from AIM) for a lttle bench-time. Results: not bad, but not great.
Most of the problems reside with the nut behind the butt-stock. I haven’t regularly shot a serious caliber battle rifle since my abruptly ended love affair with the M14. That was in 1967. Recoil, aside (and with the semi-pistolgrip stock I ain’t bad at all. A pssy cat compared to the Mosin-Nagants I’ve fired!), my eyes sure ain’t what they used to be or will be. I’m having cataract surgery next week, so I really had no business trying to shoot these iron sights at all. But, at 50 yds. All 20 rounds were about 2” right of point of im, but strung vertically about 6”. I’ll blame my ancient eyes and the large coffee I drabk on the way to the range – real smart.
Conclusion: I am very satisfied. I got to play with and semi-restore a great rifle of classic design that shoots a modern cartridge. Clean-up the rest of the piece and get my eyeballs peeled and I’ll be back with more info and better groups.
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